What Are Your Grandchildren Learning from You?

Not long ago, my Aunt Mari shared photos of a young man she’s been sponsoring through Kupenda’s scholarship program. She keeps them on her fridge with progress reports about the student—now a confident adult educator of deaf students in Kilifi, Kenya, thanks in large part to Aunt Mari’s support.

Aunt Mari has now sponsored three children through Kupenda. Over the years, she’s quietly, faithfully invested in their education, reminding our whole extended family—especially the younger ones—what it means to give with intention and heart. She doesn’t lecture or boast. She just gives. And by doing so, she teaches.

At Kupenda, we often say that changing a community’s mindset about disability starts with relationships. That’s as true in Boston or Baltimore as it is in Kilifi. And the grandparent-grandchild bond is one of the most powerful relationships there is.

When we were growing up, time with our grandparents might have meant quiet chores, big hugs, and special family meals. Maybe you remember helping your grandmother deliver food to a neighbor in need, or listening to your grandfather talk about how he supported the church or local charity. You probably didn’t think of it as “philanthropy.” You were just tagging along—and learning how to care.

Today, you have a beautiful opportunity to do the same with your grandchildren: to shape their understanding of justice, empathy, and generosity. In a world that often excludes people who are different, you can teach them what it means to welcome everyone to the table.

The “Inclusion Challenge” for Grandparents

Here are a few simple, meaningful ways to build that legacy of inclusion:

• Tell a Story
  Share with your grandchild about someone you admire who lives with a disability—or someone you’ve helped through Kupenda. Talk about the challenges they face and the incredible strengths they have.
• Give Together
  Next time your grandchild visits, invite them to help you sponsor a child. Let them help choose the child’s profile or click the “donate” button.
• Learn Together
  Watch a short video or read a story together about a child with disabilities overcoming barriers through education. Ask your grandchild what they would do if they couldn’t go to school because of their differences—and what they’d want others to do to help.
• Celebrate Your Gifts
  If you already sponsor a child, show your grandchild their photo. Tell them about their school, what they’re learning, and why that matters. You don’t need to give a lecture—just show them who you’re helping and why you care.
• Talk About Justice at the Dinner Table
  Just like our grandparents might have talked about raising money for the local church or supporting a neighbor in need, share your own giving goals with your grandchild. Let them see that love in action often means showing up for people we may never meet.

You don’t need a week of planned activities or flashy gifts to create meaningful memories. A quiet conversation over breakfast or an afternoon spent choosing a child to sponsor can plant seeds of compassion that last a lifetime.

What Legacy Will You Leave?

Your grandchildren are watching how you live—what you value, where you spend your time, and who you care about. If they see you supporting children with disabilities in Kenya—helping them access school, dignity, and opportunity—they will learn to care, too.

One day, they might say, “I learned how to be generous from my grandma,” or “My grandfather taught me to care about people who were left out.”

That’s the kind of legacy that changes the world.

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Ready to sponsor a child or make a donation with your grandchild?
Visit www.kupenda.org/donate and take the next step in building a legacy of love, justice, and inclusion—together.